Wizards Insider: December 14, 2008 - December 20, 2008

Interim coach Ed Tapscott summarized the team's latest defeat and fourth quarter breakdown this way: "Hard work is not a question, execution is." Specifically, Andray Blatche took and missed a pair of long jumpers and DeShawn Stevenson missed a three-pointer with the outcome still in doubt. Blatche, who played...

This isn't going to end well. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) If something bad happens to the Philadelphia 76ers, it must mean that they are about to face the Washington Wizards. Maurice Cheeks was fired on Saturday and the 76ers hosted the Wizards. Then, Elton Brand dislocated...

The recent spate of NBA coaches being fired -- including the Wizards' Eddie Jordan -- has raised a few eyebrows. Even Time magazine's web site weighed in this week after Reggie Theus was canned by the Sacramento Kings. A roundtable discussion at SI.com asks: What gains can a bad team...

We knew that Brendan Haywood had a strong season last year and was a big factor (along with Roger Mason Jr., Eddie Jordan, a healthy Antonio Daniels, etc.) in helping the Wizards pull out 43 wins last season, but was he really that good? I was chatting with a...

Same old, same old. Wizards fell behind 10-2 early, battled back to make it a game and trailed by only six late in the fourth before falling apart. This time, the killers were a Tayshaun Prince jumper and consecutive scores off of Wiz turnovers. -Detroit's defense was key. The...

A quick note: I know it's rough for Wiz fans right now but just be happy you're not a Detroit sports fan. I caught some local sports talk radio on the drive out to snowy Auburn Hills today and actually heard Lions fans debating whether they wanted to see...

Thank you, thank you. You're far too kind. (Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) The Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards meet for the second time in eight days. Since the Wizards upset Detroit -- coming back from a 17-point deficit to win, 107-94 -- the Pistons haven't lost and...

Like Eddie Jordan before him, interim coach Ed Tapscott continues to search for a rotation that will work on a consistent basis. Lately, second-year SG Nick Young has seen his minutes reduced as Tapscott has played starters Juan Dixon and DeShawn Stevenson and veteran newcomer Mike James the bulk...

Interim Coach Ed Tapscott said he plans on sticking with the lineup he used last night, one that swapped rookie JaVale McGee at center with Andray Blatche, for the next few games. Tapscott said he likes to break the season up into seven-game chunks, so you can expect to...

Last night's game was another mind-numbingly poor performance by the Wizards, who lost to the Indiana Pacers 118-98. As Marc Carig pointed out in this morning's newspaper: Little ... has gone according to plan for the Wizards this season. And last night, things weren't about to start changing. ... The...

We aren't that bad. We beat the Lakers and the Celtics. Those wins should count double. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) The Indiana Pacers made some serious moves in the offseason to move beyond the most difficult run of off-court (and in the stands) mishaps in franchise history....

Wanna come back, Mike? Wait up Steve, I'm heckling Steve Kerr right now. (Sports Illustrated) 1. New York at Phoenix (Monday) Of note: Mike D'Antoni felt that he was wrongfully dismissed after Phoenix lost in the first round last season. D'Antoni won an average of 58 games the past four...

Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets Gimme my props, y'all. (AP Photo) The Nuggets played only two games last week, but Carmelo Anthony needed only one quarter to set himself apart. In one blistering third quarter, Anthony erased David Thompson's name from the Nuggets record book and put his name on top,...

Charlotte Bobcats We're bad, but I don't want to hear it! (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) The Charlotte Bobcats had a relatively promising start to the season, but after winning seven of their first 18 games, they have lost six in a row and appear headed for another woeful season...

San Antonio Spurs We're back! New Orleans and Houston were the trendy picks to take the Southeast Division, and one of those teams very well could win at season's end. But this week, the team that sits in first place has three familiar faces (Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu...

You trying to get me fired? (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek) The NBA's Season of Shakeups went into overdrive last week, with two more coaches led to the guillotine and eight players forced to pack their bags. So far, there have been five coaches fired -- which is the most ever before...

Ed Tapscott is quickly learning what Eddie Jordan already understood about this roster: he doesn't have enough players performing well enough at both ends on a given night to be able to go with a steady rotation. Tonight, rookie C JaVale McGee clocked only 5:31 and Nick Young only...